Electric Wipers?

M

MOOSE

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Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
624
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C Dory Year
2001
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Hull Identification Number
CD022963D101
Vessel Name
MOOSE
Howdy All,
I'm curious as to how folks feel about the value of electric wipers. I have manual wipers and a bottle of Rain-X which have worked fine so far, but wonder about their adequacy when venturing into bigger waters. Opinions?
TX
Al
 
Electric. Period. Our CD 22 didn't have them until I put the things on. Then I added a momentary switch by the port side seat so my wife could run her own. Even if it isn't raining, some well-placed splash and a slight breeze can drive you nuts. Our new boat has them already, but now I am bugging the electricians at work to scrounge up some time delay relays to add an intermittent feature.

A near future project is to tap into the pressure side of the demand pump I added to the freshwater system on board. I figure to run some 1/4" tubing to a small valve near the helm, and then to spray nozzles at the outside top of the front windows. Saltwater spray can really make a mess of things. Window washers aren't really all that necessary, but since the pressure system is there already, it is almost free.

Keep in mind, though, that I am kind of weird when it comes to electric gadgets.
 
Got any good ideas for a helm mounted switch to run either one wiper or the other, or both, or none?
 
The simplest would be a toggle switch for each wiper motor. For a little over three bucks at Radio Shack, you can get a pair of 20a switches on a plastic mounting plate.

If you want to control all the functions for both wipers with one switch, you can always go to a wrecking yard and get a 3-throw 4-position switch out of a junk car (like a heater fan switch). To buy a new switch like that with heavy enough DC contacts would probably be a little spendy.

Ain't boats fun?
 
Separate toggle for each wiper works best in my experience. With the shape of the hull it's often not necessary to run both at the same, especially in spray conditions. The separate button on the port side is a nice touch.

You can wire them both to the same switch using a diode to isolate them and they'll park one after the other. Without the diode they have to hit the cut out at the same second and can run for upwards of a minute before that happens.

I'm currently using two panel switches, but will probably put toggles down out the bottom of the dash. 16 Cruiser has a deep lip there with room for a couple of switches which I'll also probably red-light with the instruments so I can find 'em in the dark.

Manual wipers may be traditional in C-Dorys, but I tired of getting up from the wheelsman's seat the first weekend on Lake Erie.

I'm not sure how you salties do this without windshield washer fluid too, salt spray off the road turns my car windshield opaque in the winter.

-- Chuck
 
Tyboo

I would like to get elec wipers for my 2004 22 cruiser, west marine has the AFI 1000 in 16 and 18 inch, this looks to be to long to me, any suggestions?


TOPKICK
 
When it came time, I just ordered mine from the C-Dory factory. Then you know they're the right size and set for the correct angle sweep. If you want to get confused, try to figure out what you need from the Marinco/AFI website.
Al
 
Al

Have a call into the factory, but no return call as of this posting, need type and price.


Thanks
TOPKICK
 
Topkick-

Follow Al's suggestion. I did it the hard way and much trial and error later, figured it out eventually. Left over manual set ups can be utilized two ways. 1) Add a manual wiper for the center windshied. Electric won't fit here as there's no room for the motor in the correct position inside the cabin--the electronics shelf above and dash shelf below. Also, opening center window poses another problem! 2)Second wiper can be kept for spare parts or installed on window in rear door or other rear window if you troll or go out in the rain a lot.

See you at Lake Shasta and you can see my installation and discuss the details!!! Joe.
 
Has anyone had problems with leaking around the electric wipers?

I just found that the driver side wiper leaks through to the dash. Don't know yet if it leaks only when turned on or also when off. A quick look seemed like there is a ruber gasket where it comes through the fiberglass. Does any one know if this is how they are sealed?

Thanks,
Steve
 
Steve, you probably only need to tighten up the nut on the wiper shaft. It will compress the rubber gasket and should stop the leak. I had this problem when I first got my boat.

Fred
 
I installed electric wipers on our 16 Cruiser after the first weekend with the boat on Lake Erie. Rain wasn't the isse, wave splash was. Not sure how close the manuals are on other boats, but they're not reachable from the seats on a 16 Cruiser.

I ordered the "kit" from the factory. Has the wiring harness, spacers, etc. Everything but a wiring diagram which they FAXed me when I called.

I'm still using the bottom two switches on the panel for the wipers, but plans are for a pair of switches below the dash.

-- Chuck
 
Anita Marie":2wpr6rmi said:
Steve, you probably only need to tighten up the nut on the wiper shaft. It will compress the rubber gasket and should stop the leak. I had this problem when I first got my boat.

Fred
Click to expand...

I accidentally pulled the wires off their push-on terminals while rigging the Jenny B, and could not get them reconnected without unscrewing the wiper shaft nut and removing the other nut holding the wiper motor on, then manipulating the best I could without removing the wiper blade assembly itself. Fat fingers run in the family. In any case, I agree with Fred. The factory does put a dab of sealant on the screw mount and relies on the gasket for the wiper shaft.

On another note, this is my first "winter" on C-Brats and ya sure can tell the difference. Left on a 3 day trip without my laptop and there were 150 new messages here. Wow!
 
A quick question - if your electric wipers fail, can they be operated manually as well? :?:

John
Swee Pea
 
I cannot imagine not having electric wipers. My Skagit Orca has a cool feature which has a separate switch for each individual wiper and an additional switch which fires all three at once! It sounds decadent, but I use both depending on what I need at the time.
 
My 2005 factory version electrics cannot be manually operated. :( Thank goodness it never rains in Southern California. (well, almost.)
 
Swea Pea

I know of no electric wipers that can be manually operated or overridden. If you think it's going to be a problem, carry a window cleaners's squeege with a 12-24 inch handle along with you as a spare and a good window cleaning tool to have on board. The front windows frequently have bugs on them anyway from highway travel. Joe.
 
Here's an idea for the dirty/salty window problem. Go down to the local wrecking yard, auto supply store...or the spousal units car and get a windshield washer reservour and pump assembly. A person could mount that rascal in the V-berth and fill it with a vinegar/water mix. The buring question for me is how to get the hose to spray on the window without drilling a hole in the boat
 
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